Explore the inner workings of the mind body system with neuroscientists, yoga instructors, and through the first hand experiences of those who have been impacted by trauma. Discover how to shift your patterns, begin to heal yourself, and make changes which promote the wellbeing of those around you.
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episode 22: Trauma Healing with the NYPD | Annie Labrada
In this deeply touching and sensitive episode, I'm in conversation with a long-time friend and colleague, former Sergeant for Transit District One, Annie Labrada. In this conversation, we discuss Annie's time at the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the traumas she and her colleagues experienced. She shares her coping mechanisms, her journey to becoming a certified yoga teacher, and her and her colleagues' efforts to bring yoga to the NYPD through NYPD Blue Karma Yoga and NYPD Health and Wellness. We talk about one particular officer, Aaron Lohman who has a very inspirational health story.
We also dive into how we met and my work with Three and a Half Acres Yoga (THAY) to bring yoga to the NYPD. Annie is a graduate of the (THAY) Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training. We have our next training coming up on March 4th and 5th. You can find more info on that HERE.
In 2019 after the department lost ten members who died by suicide, Annie decided to join the founders of NYPD Blue Karma Yoga. Realizing how much her yoga practice helped regulate stress, handle intense emotions and find the peace she knew it would only help others.
Annie completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in May 2020 and taught her first class for BKY on May 18 on Instagram live. In-person classes would follow, and often officers were surprised by how good they felt after class. Introducing several officers to their very first taste of yoga was one of the most rewarding parts of her career.
She was promoted to Sergeant in July 2021 and served for Transit District One in Columbus circle. Stepping into a supervisory role was challenging but fulfilling. Again Annie fell back on her yoga practice.
The Labrada family is living in Mal Pais, Costa Rica.
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Opening and Closing music: Other People's Photographs courtesy of Daniel Zaitchik. Follow Daniel on Spotify.